Fordham Law Alumna to Receive Posthumous Award

February 25, 2009

Fordham Law alumna and former Fordham Law professor Mary Daly '72 posthumously will receive the 2009 Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award. The award is sponsored by the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility and will be officially presented by ABA President H. Thomas Wells, Jr. at the Mid-America Club in Chicago on May 28.

Mary Daly taught at Fordham Law for over twenty years and was James H. Quinn Professor of Legal Ethics. She also directed the graduate program and was co-director of the Stein Center. She was serving as dean of St. John's University School of Law and John V. Brennan Professor of Law and Ethics when she passed away in November.

The Michael Franck award was established in 1994 and recognizes individuals whose contributions in the area of professional responsibility set an example of insight into the demands of legal professionalism, show dedication to the highest level of ethical conduct, and demonstrate a vision of constant improvement of lawyer regulation in the public interest. The selection committee strongly considers significant contributions to the work of the organized bar as well as noteworthy scholarly contributions made in academic settings, creative judicial, or legislative initiatives undertaken to advance the professionalism of lawyers.

The award is named for the late director of the State Bar of Michigan and long-time champion of improvements in lawyer regulation in the public interest. Michael Franck's work stood as a benchmark for turning intellectual honesty, compassion, and uncompromising ethics to every aspect of the practice of law.